After a summer without a World Cup or European Championships to fill the void, the return of the English Premier League will be a welcome sight for fans. And, with the title race and relegation battle likely to be gripping once again, the excitement is understandable.

Champions Manchester United and fierce rivals Manchester City both launched summer spending sprees – as did Sunderland – while Arsenal continue to endure uncertainty over the future of their key men. The Premier League newcomers – Queens Park Rangers, Norwich and Swansea – will offer additional intriguing subplots.

With the Premier League back in business for 2011/12, Inside Futbol looks at each team’s transfer business and prospects for the year ahead:

Arsenal

Like last summer, the ‘will he, won’t he’ Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona saga has rumbled on during the summer, with the Spaniard seemingly close to a move on several occasions. Add in Samir Nasri’s desire to leave as well as Gael Clichy’s move to Manchester City and the plot thickens.

Arsene Wenger has been typically cautious about spending big money and, despite England midfielder Jack Wilshere’s progress, much still depends on Fabregas and Nasri. Neither appear committed to staying at the Emirates, making a top four finish too big a hurdle to clear.

Key arrivals: Gervinho (Lille), Jon Toral, Hector Bellerin (both Barcelona), Carl Jenkinson (Charlton)
Key departures: Gael Clichy (Manchester City), Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (Ipswich), Roarie Deacon (Sunderland), Denilson (Sao Paulo, loan)
Prediction: 5th

Aston Villa

Alex McLeish has an uphill battle on his hands at Villa Park. After the controversy over his exit from close rivals Birmingham City, the Scot inherits a squad that has lost three key players over the summer. Shrewd swoops for Shay Given and Charles N’Zogbia will help with the rebuilding process, but the creativity of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing will be missed.

Villa have plenty of experience and a proven front man in Darren Bent but, despite a friendly early schedule, McLeish will find there are too many flaws to achieve more than a mid-table finish.

Key arrivals: Shay Given (Manchester City), Charles N’Zogbia (Newcastle)
Key departures: Ashley Young (Manchester United), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Nigel Reo-Coker (Bolton), Brad Friedel (Tottenham Hotspur), John Carew, Robert Pires (both released)
Prediction: 9th



Blackburn Rovers

Life at Ewood Park has been turbulent in recent years and that is unlikely to change this season. Blackburn finished 15th last term and since then have lost Phil Jones, their promising youngster, to Manchester United. Meanwhile, Christopher Samba could yet be snapped up by one of the league’s big boys.

Manager Steve Kean has clear potential, however this will be a tough year, leading to an anxious fight for survival in April and May. Adding striker David Goodwillie will help but scoring goals remains a problem.

Key arrivals: David Goodwillie (Dundee United)
Key departures: Phil Jones (Manchester United), Zurab Khizanishvili, Benjani Mwaruwari (both released)
Prediction: 15th

Bolton Wanderers

At one point last season, Bolton seemed ready to crack the top six. Though they eventually ran out of steam, Owen Coyle impressed with his leadership and tactics – and he has thus far managed to keep the suitors for highly rated defender Gary Cahill at bay.

However, Johan Elmander’s exit and Daniel Sturridge’s return to Chelsea have left Bolton light in the goalscoring department – an issue that Coyle is actively attempting to remedy. The Trotters are too good to be dragged into a relegation battle, though given the lack of squad depth, will struggle to improve dramatically on last year’s 14th place finish.

Key arrivals: Darren Pratley (Swansea), Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa), Chris Eagles, Tyrone Mears (both Burnley)
Key departures: Ali Al Habsi (Wigan), Matt Taylor (West Ham), Ricardo Gardner, Jlloyd Samuel, Joey O’Brien, Tamir Cohen (all released), Johan Elmander (Galatasaray), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea, loan return)
Prediction: 12th

Chelsea

It is new manager Andre Villas-Boas who has attracted most of the pre-season headlines at Stamford Bridge, with transfer activity surprisingly limited. However, it should not be forgotten that Fernando Torres and David Luiz were signed as recently as January for a combined cost of £70M and will have the benefit of a full pre-season with their team-mates.

Villas-Boas has made a positive early impact but it remains to be seen whether he can drag consistent top class performances from an ageing squad. The loss of Michael Essien to injury is a big loss and Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu must adapt to the English game. Look for the Blues to challenge early on before fading out of the title race.

Key arrivals: Oriol Romeu (Barcelona), Romelu Lukaku (Anderlecht)
Key departures: Michael Mancienne, Jeffrey Bruma (both Hamburg)
Prediction: 3rd

Everton

David Moyes’ men are notoriously unpredictable, given the spate of injuries that seem to strike down key players each year, but when healthy, Everton are comfortably a top eight club.

The Toffees have been quiet in the transfer market, seriously hamstrung by financial concerns which make additions difficult. However, perhaps more importantly, Everton have lost none of their highly-rated match-winners thus far. Expect to see big seasons from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta, but the strength of the teams above them make a repeat of last year’s finish the likeliest outcome.
 
Key arrivals: Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon, loan)
Key departures: James Vaughan (Norwich)
Prediction: 7th



Fulham

Martin Jol’s return to English football is a definite boost for the Premier League and there is plenty to be excited about with his current Fulham squad. Jol has a clutch of experienced leaders while the Andy Johnson-Bobby Zamora pairing should finally have a chance to prosper from excellent midfield service.

European football will be beyond this group, but a top half finish is definitely possible if Fulham produce solid home form and their back four continues to impress.

Key arrivals: John Arne Riise (Roma), Marcel Gecov (Slovan Liberec), Pajtim Kasami (Palermo)
Key departures: Jonathan Greening (Nottingham Forest), John Pantsil (Leicester), Diomansy Kamara (Eskiehirspor), Zoltan Gera (West Brom)
Prediction: 10th

Liverpool

The resurgence at Liverpool in the latter part of last season has sparked real optimism about the 2011/12 campaign. Manager Kenny Dalglish has dragged inspired performances from key players and, though Steven Gerrard will miss the start of the season through injury, the defence should be better than last year and the Luis Suarez-Andy Carroll pairing will give even the best defences headaches.

The Reds are not ready to compete for the title again just yet but, off the back of their solid summer transfer business with a distinctly British flavour, a top four finish, and with it a return to the Champions League, should be an attainable objective.

Key arrivals: Stewart Downing (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Sunderland), Charlie Adam (Blackpool), Alexander Doni (Roma)
Key departures: Paul Konchesky (Leicester, undisclosed), Milan Jovanovic (Anderlecht) 
Prediction: 4th

Manchester City

Winning the 2011 FA Cup has given Manchester City’s players a taste for silverware – and their sights are now set on the Premier League title. More big spending over the summer has landed Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid as well as important defensive upgrades.

Roberto Mancini must settle the Carlos Tevez situation and get more from Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko but City’s squad is the envy of every club in the country, bar none. Ultimately, their cross city rivals should be too strong this year but it is only a matter of time before the blue half of Manchester has its day.

Key arrivals: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Stefan Savic (Partizan Belgrade)
Key departures: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Shay Given (Aston Villa), Michael Johnson (Leicester City, loan), Patrick Vieira (retired)
Prediction: 2nd

Manchester United

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was expected to make major moves this summer and he has done just that, bringing in talented young players to freshen up an ageing squad and fill the holes left by the respective retirements of Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Edwin van der Sar.

Though the pursuit of Wesley Sneijder has not yet born fruit, however the capture of Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea from Atletico Madrid could prove crucial. United look set for another impressive campaign on all fronts and Wayne Rooney will be salivating over the service he will receive from Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Nani. Their pre-season tour of the United States was a roaring success and it is hard to envision another contender pipping the Red Devils to the title.

Key arrivals: Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Phil Jones (Blackburn), David De Gea (Atletico Madrid)
Key departures: Wes Brown, John O’Shea (both Sunderland), Bebe (Besiktas, loan), Gary Neville, Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes (all retired), Owen Hargreaves (released)
Prediction: 1st



Newcastle United

Life for Newcastle supporters has been tough this summer, with the club responding to a solid first season back in the top flight by allowing their most important players to leave. Captain Kevin Nolan is gone, Joey Barton and Jose Enrique look set to follow and it is hard to see where the goals will come from now that Andy Carroll is plying his trade at Anfield.

Turmoil is engulfing the club. Had the Geordies kept their squad intact, a top ten finish would have been a realistic target, but unless there is significant investment in the squad, Newcastle look set for a relegation battle that they might only just survive.

Key arrivals: Yohan Cabaye (Lille), Demba Ba (West Ham), Sylvain Marveaux (Rennes)
Key departures: Kevin Nolan (West Ham), Shefki Kuqi, Sol Campbell (both released)
Prediction: 16th

Norwich

The recovery was lengthy but the Canaries are finally back among the England’s elite. Flying under the radar for much of their promotion campaign, Norwich will find life tougher under the intense glare of Premier League football.

There will be large doses of attacking, creative football from the newcomers but scoring goals at this level will be a challenge. Flaws at both ends of the pitch make the Canaries vulnerable and these weaknesses will condemn Norwich to relegation.

Key arrivals: James Vaughan (Everton), Steve Morison (Millwall), Anthony Pilkington (Huddersfield), Elliott Bennett (Brighton), Kyle Naughton (Tottenham Hotspur, loan)
Key departures: Luke Daley (Plymouth)
Prediction: 20th

Queens Park Rangers

It was only a matter of time before the Championship big spenders made the jump to the Premier League. The big question now is whether they have the quality to stay.

QPR have thus far resisted the urge the splash out on star names but there will no doubt be funds available in January too should manager Neil Warnock require upgrades. Warnock’s experience at the highest level plus the class of Adel Taarabt should be enough to keep the Hoops clear of the drop zone – but it will be touch and go.

Key arrivals: Jay Bothroyd (Cardiff City), Kieron Dyer, Danny Gabbidon (both West Ham)
Key departures: Lee Brown (Bristol Rovers, free), Angelo Balanta (MK Dons, loan), Pascal Chimbonda, Gavin Mahon, both (released)
Prediction: 17th

Stoke City

Reaching Wembley for the FA Cup final last season speaks volumes for the work Tony Pulis has done at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke have developed into a savvy Premier League outfit and, despite a quiet summer, there is no reason to expect the Potters to slide into a relegation dogfight.

Home form is always a banker for Stoke and so it will be their away performances that determine how far the club goes this season. A mid-table finish seems the most realistic prediction.

Key arrivals: Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)
Key departures: Carl Dickinson (Watford), Abdoulaye Faye (West Ham), Eidur Gudjohnsen (AEK Athens), Ibrahima Sonko (Reading)
Prediction: 11th



Sunderland

Losing Darren Bent and Jordan Henderson might have left some clubs on their knees, but Sunderland have bounced back with a busy summer in the transfer market that has cued the start of a new era.

Shrewd acquisitions like the double swoop on Manchester United for defensive pair John O’Shea and Wes Brown should strengthen the dressing room while young striker Connor Wickham’s progress will be worth watching all year. Manager Steve Bruce has strength in depth, particularly in defence and midfield, and if his players make a positive start, a fight for a top six spot could be on the cards. It will take time for the group to gel but good things should follow.

Key arrivals: Connor Wickham (Ipswich), Craig Gardner (Birmingham City), Wes Brown, John O’Shea (both Manchester United), Ahmed Elmohamady (ENPPI), Wong-Don Ji (Chunnam Dragons), David Vaughan (Blackpool), Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham City)
Key departures: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Cristian Riveros (Kayserispor, loan), Boudewijn Zenden (released)
Prediction: 8th

Swansea

This Swansea squad has little Premier League experience so this could be a rough introduction to the ruthlessness of the top flight. Despite a superb 2010/11 campaign, capped by the thrilling playoff final victory over Reading, the Swans have obvious weaknesses at the back which will be exploited by teams with quicker, more clinical strikers.

At the other end, it is hard to see who will contribute the 20-goal tally that is likely to be needed to avoid the drop but Scott Sinclair’s impact will be worth tracking. Swansea will entertain, however expect to see them back in the Championship for the 2012/13 season.

Key arrivals: Danny Graham (Watford), Leroy Lita (Middlesbrough), Jose Moreira (Benfica)
Key departures: Darren Pratley (Bolton), Dorus de Vries (Wolves)
Prediction: 19th

Tottenham Hotspur

Harry Redknapp has been surprisingly quiet in the transfer market, but there is plenty of good news for Tottenham fans as Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart all remain at White Hart Lane.

The taste of Champions League football will unquestionably have improved this squad and the service to Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe should keep Spurs among the most dangerous attacking sides in the league. However, a spot in the top four is asking a lot given Liverpool’s revival and the fact that Arsenal are yet to part company with two of their biggest talents. Redknapp will have to settle for a Europa League finish.

Key arrivals: Brad Friedel (Aston Villa), Souleymane Coulibaly (AC Siena), Cristian Ceballos (Barcelona)
Key departures: Jamie O’Hara (Wolves), Jonathan Woodgate (Stoke City)
Prediction: 6th

West Brom

Roy Hodgson made his critics look foolish with the way he sparked West Brom in the final third of the season, shortly after his time as Liverpool manager came to an end. At one point, the Baggies looked relegation fodder, but Hodgson masterminded performances brimming with passion.

It is reasonable to expect more of the same this term, with Peter Odemwingie back to lead the attack and proven scrappers like Paul Scharner and Jonas Olsson ready to lead by example. The top half will be beyond West Brom, but they should be too good to flirt with the drop zone.

Key arrivals: Gareth McAuley (Ipswich), Billy Jones (Preston), Ben Foster (Birmingham City, loan)
Key departures: Borja Valero (Villarreal), Scott Carson (Bursaspor), Gianni Zuiverloon (Real Mallorca), Boaz Myhill (Birmingham City, loan), Abdoulaye Meite, Giles Barnes (both released)
Prediction: 13th

Wigan

The 2010/11 campaign will not be recalled with great fondness by Wigan fans and, with few upgrades over the summer, another tough year lies ahead.

The loss of Charles N’Zogbia is a huge blow for Roberto Martinez’ side and a resulting lack of creativity will pile huge pressure on their home form. There is plenty of spirit in the Wigan camp but simply not enough quality. Last year, the Latics escaped the drop. They will not be so lucky this season.

Key arrivals: Ali Al-Habsi (Bolton), David Jones (Wolves)
Key departures: Charles N’Zogbia (Aston Villa), Steven Caldwell (Birmingham City), Daniel de Ridder, Jason Koumas, Mike Pollit (all released)
Prediction: 18th

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Just a matter of minutes from relegation, Wolves survived by the skin of their teeth last season. However, Mick McCarthy’s men have been boosted by the limited spending of other clubs around them – and this is likely to provide some welcome breathing room.

On paper, Wolves should be a stronger team in 2011/12, with Roger Johnson strengthening the back four and Jamie O’Hara back to drive the midfield on a permanent basis. The lack of a top class striker will continue to be a headache for McCarthy, but Wolves should have the know-how and quality to overcome tough patches and steer clear of danger.

Key arrivals: Roger Johnson (Birmingham City), Jamie O’Hara (Tottenham Hotspur), Dorus de Vries (Swansea)
Key departures: Greg Halford (Portsmouth), David Jones (Wigan), Steven Mouyokolo (Sochaux, loan), Marcus Hahnemann (released)
Prediction: 14th